Arielle Immortal Awakening Read Free Page B

Broderick, didn’t seem to like her.
    The year Arielle turned seventeen, one beautiful Sunday morning, she decided to talk to her father about her dreadful gift as they took their usual morning walk after breakfast. She told him that she wanted to attend the University of Brighton, and he thought that was a wonderful idea. What he liked the most was the fact that she would be staying close to home. His influence on her was profound, and he had always helped her understand the importance of the way she interacted with all the people she crossed paths with. He always made her feel important and always tried to discuss all her issues, complicated or not, and help her find good solutions.
    After a short silence she asked her father if they could talk about something that had been bothering her for years. He stopped and held her gaze with concern.
    “Why did you wait so long to talk to me?” he asked gently.
    “Well, I guess I was afraid that you would think I was crazy or something.”
    She was silent again, trying to put her thoughts together and find a way to discuss her dreadful gift with him. He stood there looking at her and waiting patiently.
    Finally he said, in a soft, understanding voice. “Well, go on…”
    She started out by saying, “Daddy, I can hear other people’s thoughts. I know all their secrets and troubles.”
    He didn’t seem shocked at all. “Is it all people or just some?” he asked.
    She stopped dead in her tracks, shocked to hear his question, struck dumb. Smiling, he motioned for her to continue, and she did.
    “It’s just some people. I’m not sure why some and not all. I’m not sure what the difference is. But that is what’s happened to me. Do you think I’m crazy?”
    Her father looked deep into her eyes as if he were trying to read her very essence. Then he smiled, with absolutely no surprise or wonder in his face.
    “Is that all you wanted to tell me?” he asked.
    She must have given him an odd look again because she couldn’t understand why he was taking this information in so calmly as if they were discussing a book or a film.
    “But…Daddy…I…” she was lost for words.
    He smiled wide, and chuckled. “You know, pumpkin, your grandmother had the same gift,” he said softly. “The difference was that she could read everyone’s thoughts, with no exceptions. Nobody could lie to her and she sure knew who her true friends were.” He smiled again, remembering. Then he continued.
    “Your great-grandmother was more like you. She could read some people’s thoughts, but not everyone’s.” Seeing Arielle’s look of disbelief and consternation, he laughed out loud.
    “I sure hope your mother and I are not in that special group of people,” he added.
    “No, you’re not!” she said emphatically. She could not read their thoughts, and that was an enormous relief to her.
    Now he put his arms around her and said. “Arielle, I know that right now you probably feel that this is a curse, not a gift. But you can use it to your advantage in the future in a good way. Believe me, I know.”
    She was so relieved to talk with someone she loved so very much, and to have shared her secret.
    She and her father continued to take private walks often, during which they talked about all kinds of things, including Arielle’s dreams for the future. Often her parents would ask her to sit down and play the piano for them and she was always happy to do that. Playing the piano powerfully influenced her emotions and gave her a deep sense of enthrallment and genuine pleasure.
    It was on a Monday morning in mid-May, very close to the time of their commencement exercises that Gabrielle and Eva suggested that they should throw a graduation party. Arielle thought this was a great idea, so they went to talk to the Queen of Parties: Arielle’s mother.

Chapter 2
    T he commencement party was to take place at Arielle’s house. Her mother loved giving parties, so the girls let her handle all the